The new added BS degree in Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry caters to students having a strong interest in biology and biological chemistry by incorporating
biologically-related lecture and laboratory courses. Many students in this program plan to attend
medical or dental school, but a significant fraction pursue graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, or related areas.
Biochemistry is the science of the chemical transformations that characterize living
systems. Biochemistry deals with the structures, functions and interactions of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other biomolecules—although increasingly processes rather than individual molecules are the main focus. Among the vast number of different biomolecules, many are complex and large molecules (called biopolymers), which are composed of similar repeating subunits (called monomers). Students with such specialization can easily understand life at its very basis and are able to answer many important
questions, such as:How does the food we eat get converted into energy?
Why do proteins fold and how do they act as catalysts?
How does our immune system protect us—and why does it sometimes fail?
How does the immune system develop memory?
How is DNA replicated?
How is chemistry encoded by DNA?
How do we use recombinant DNA technology to identify and to manipulate genes?
How do medicines work inside the body? |
